Toilet seat height adjustment system

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a toilet seat. The apparatus also includes a first set of actuators coupled to the toilet seat and a second set of actuators coupled to the toilet seat. The apparatus includes a toilet base coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators and a power supply coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators. The apparatus may also include a first support plate attached to a top of the first set of actuators and a top of the second set of actuators. The toilet seat may be attached to a top surface of the first support plate above a through-hole extending through the first support plate. The apparatus may also include a second support plate attached to a bottom of the first set of actuators and a bottom of the second set of actuators. The second support plate may be attached to a top of the toilet base. The second support plate has a through-hole therethrough. The through-hole of the first support plate is aligned with the through-hole of the second support plate. The through-hole of the second support plate aligned with an opening of the toilet base. In an embodiment, the controller is a switch coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators. In another embodiment, the controller includes a first switch coupled to the first set of actuators, and a second switch coupled to the second set of actuators. In yet another embodiment, the controller is a button coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/405,772 entitled “TOILET SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM” and having a filing date of Oct. 7, 2016, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of seat lifting systems, and more specifically, to toilet seat lifting systems which allow a user to adjust the height and angle of a toilet seat to assist the user off of the seat.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, “standard” toilet seat heights are around 17 inches or less off the ground. In more recent years, “chair height” toilet seats have gained popularity and are usually 17 to 19 inches off the ground. In most cases, consumers choose a toilet height based on personal preference, but there are some people who require a higher toilet seat because of disability or physical limitations.

The elderly, hospital patients, invalids, those suffering from injuries, and other persons with physical limitations may find a conventional height toilet seats provide difficulties when sitting down upon or standing up from. In fact, ADA compliance requires that a toilet seat must be 17 to 19 inches from the ground to the top of the seat. For weak or afflicted persons, it may be impossible for them to be seated on a low toilet without falling or to remove themselves from the seat without assistance.

Higher toilet seat heights may allow persons with physical limitations to seat and remove themselves from the toilet with greater ease, but among shared toilets this may create a conflict between users. Children may have a difficult time seating themselves on a high toilet. This could lead to a child falling or added difficulties to the already hard task of toilet training a child. Additionally, some individuals favor a low toilet seat so they may assume a squatting position when using the toilet.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a system in which users may adjust the height of a toilet seat to suit their needs and preferences. Furthermore, what might be desired is a system can raise and lower a toilet seat with little effort and provides a comfortable support mechanism for the user.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a toilet seat. The apparatus also includes a first set of actuators coupled to the toilet seat and a second set of actuators coupled to the toilet seat. The apparatus includes a toilet base coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators and a power supply coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators. The apparatus may also include a first support plate attached to a top of the first set of actuators and a top of the second set of actuators. The toilet seat may be attached to a top surface of the first support plate above a through-hole extending through the first support plate. The apparatus may also include a second support plate attached to a bottom of the first set of actuators and a bottom of the second set of actuators. The second support plate may be attached to a top of the toilet base. The second support plate has a through-hole therethrough. The through-hole of the first support plate is aligned with the through-hole of the second support plate. The through-hole of the second support plate aligned with an opening of the toilet base.

In an embodiment, the controller is a switch coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators. In another embodiment, the controller includes a first switch coupled to the first set of actuators, and a second switch coupled to the second set of actuators. In yet another embodiment, the controller is a button coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a left side elevational view of the toilet seat height adjustment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the toilet seat height adjustment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the clamp component of the toilet seat height adjustment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the tilt feature of toilet seat height adjustment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a support plate.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a support plate.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a toilet seat height adjustment system in a side view.

FIG. 8 illustrates the embodiment of the toilet seat height adjustment system of FIG. 7 in a top view.

FIG. 9 illustrates an engineering drawing of an embodiment of a top support plate.

FIG. 10 illustrates an engineering drawing of an embodiment of a bottom support plate.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a control circuit or controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to the figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

In reference to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a toilet seat 1 is provided with two or more side actuators 3 attached to the sides of the seat 1. In an embodiment, the side actuators 3 are provided with adjustable clamps 9 to attach to a toilet bowl. A user fastens one or more clamps 9 to mate with the exterior of the toilet bowl 2, providing a force to secure the seat 1 and side actuators 3 relative to the bowl 2. In an embodiment, the shafts of the side actuators 3 are attached to the seat 1, while the housings of the side actuators 3 are attached to the clamps 9. In an embodiment, the actuators 3 attach the seat 1 and clamps 9 via fasteners such as screws, rivets, or other fastening means, for example. In another embodiment, the actuators are adhered or precision fit to the molding of the seat 1 and clamps 9. In an embodiment, the side actuators 3 may be electric, mechanical, or hydraulic for example, as may be appropriate for various different operating environments.

In another embodiment of the toilet seat height adjustment system, the system is further provided with one or more rear actuators 4. In the embodiment, the housing of the rear actuators 4 are attached to the toilet bowl 2 and the shafts of the rear actuators are attached to the seat 1. In an embodiment, the actuators 3 attach the seat 1 and bowl 2 via fasteners such as screws, rivets, or other fastening means, as are known in the art. In another embodiment, the rear actuators 4 are adhered or precision fit to the molding of the seat 1 and bowl 2. In a preferred embodiment, the rear actuators 4 are attached to the bowl 2 by apertures adapted to fastened onto the bolts provided for the toilet tank. In an embodiment, the rear actuators 4 may be electric, mechanical, or hydraulic, for example.

In an embodiment, the side actuators 3 and rear actuators 4 are attached in a manner to provide a substantial space between the seat 1 and the bowl fitting 9. The space is provided so a user will not get a finger, article of clothing, or part of their body pinched between the seat 1 and the clamps 9.

In an embodiment, the toilet seat height adjustment system is further provided with one or more arm posts 10. The posts 10 extend upwards from the outer edge of the seat 1 and terminate at the front end of the armrests 5. In an embodiment, the back ends of the armrests 5 terminate at a backrest 6. The backrest 6 extends upward from the rear of the armrests 5 to provide support for a user's back as the user places themselves onto the seat 1. In an embodiment, the backrest also extends downward from the armrests 5, attaching to the rear end of the seat 1.

In an embodiment, wherein two armrests 5 are provided, the front end of the right armrest is further provided with a button 7. In an embodiment, the button 7 may engage the side actuators 3 and rear actuators 4 simultaneously to raise the height of the seat. In the embodiment, the user depresses the button 7 to begin raising the seat 1 and releases the button to cease raising the seat 1. In another embodiment, the button 7 may engage the side actuators 3 and rear actuators 4 simultaneously to lower the height of the seat. In the embodiment, the user depresses the button 7 to begin lowering the seat 1 and releases the button to cease lowering the seat 1.

In another embodiment, wherein two armrests 5 are provided, the front end of the left armrest is further provided with a button 8. In an embodiment, the button 8 may engage the side actuators 3 and rear actuators 4 simultaneously to raise the height of the seat. In the embodiment, the user depresses the button 8 to begin raising the seat 1 and releases the button to cease raising the seat 1. In another embodiment, the button 8 may engage the side actuators 3 and rear actuators 4 simultaneously to lower the height of the seat. In the embodiment, the user depresses the button 8 to begin lowering the seat 1 and releases the button to cease lowering the seat 1.

In another embodiment, the front of an armrest 5 is further provided with another button (not shown) to engage a tilt feature. In the embodiment, the user presses the button to engage the rear actuators 4 to raise, tilting the seat 1 to assist the user from the seat. If the user presses the tilt button again, the rear actuators 4 will lower to level the seat 1. In another embodiment, two tilt buttons may be provided. One of buttons may increase the tilt, and the other button may level the seat 1. In another embodiment, the button 7 and the button 8 are replaced with two way switches. One of the switches may will allow the user to raise and lower the seat height, and the other switch will allow the user to increase and decrease the tilt of the seat 1.

In reference to FIG. 4, another embodiment is shown to represent a toggle and rocker switch configuration to operate the actuators and the tilt feature. In the illustrated embodiment, a rocker switch is provided on the end of an armrest. The rocker switch will be able to depressed by a user in one direction to engage the side actuators 3 and rear actuators 4 to raise all actuators. The user will be able to engage the rocker depress the rocker switch in the opposite direction to engage the side actuators 3 and rear actuators 4 to lower all actuators. In the preferred embodiment, a toggle switch will be provided on the end of an armrest. The toggle switch will cutoff power to the side actuators 3 such that, when a user depresses the rocker switch, only the rear actuators 4 are engaged to be raised or lowered.

In yet another embodiment, two rocker switches are provided, with a first rocker switch controlling the side actuators 3 and a second rocker switch controlling the rear actuators 4. By providing independent control or the side actuators 3 and the rear actuators 4, the first and second rocker switches allow for control of height and tilt, and allow for tilt forward or tilt backward.

Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, support plates are illustrated. FIG. 5 illustrates a top support plate and FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom support plate. Upper support plate 30 provides a platform which can support a toilet seat 1 (not shown). Through-hole 34 provides an opening which may be sized similarly to the hole of a toilet seat such as toilet seat 1. Through-holes 32 provide for attachment or reception of actuators such as actuators 3 or 4, for example. Thus, side actuators may be used as front actuators in some embodiments, potentially providing for better balance and stability. Through-holes 36 are illustrated as through-holes but may be receptacles, provided for attachment of a toilet seat such as toilet seat 1.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment is illustrated. In such an embodiment, the toilet seat 1 is supported by an upper support plate 12 which is located above a lower support plate 14. Front actuators 16 and rear actuators 18 are interposed between plate 12 and plate 14, providing for the ability to raise and lower the upper support plate 12 and corresponding toilet seat 1. Front actuators 16 and rear actuators 18 may be controlled by front (20) and rear (22) rocker switches, for example, in such an embodiment. Front rocker switch 20 is connected to front actuators 16 and rear rocker switch 22 is connected to rear actuators 18. Upper support plate 12 may also support posts 10 and posts 10 may in turn support armrests 5. Switches 20 and 22 may be mounted on an armrest 5, for example. Also illustrated with dotted lines is optional shroud 24, which may be provided to shield the space between upper support plate 12 and lower support plate 14 from view.

A further example of specific embodiments of support plates is provided in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. FIG. 9 provides an engineering drawing of a support plate such as a top support plate 50. FIG. 10 provides an engineering drawing of a support plate such as a bottom support plate 52. The features of plate 50 correspond to the features of an embodiment of plate 30. The features of plate 52 correspond to the features of an embodiment of plate 40.

FIG. 11 also illustrates a specific embodiment of a component, in this case a circuit for controlling an actuator. Power supply 60 couples to switch(es) 20 which in turn couple to front actuator 16 as shown. Thus, switch 20 can control power to front actuator 16, and thereby raise and lower the actuator based on applying a positive or negative voltage to the actuator 16. A similar structure can be used for other actuators such as a rear actuator.

In an embodiment, the toilet seat height adjustment system will be further provided with a power cord (not shown). In an embodiment, the power cord is adapted to plug into a standard 110-volt AC outlet, as is known in the art. In an embodiment, the system may be further provided with a converter to supply a 12-volt power supply to each of the actuators, as is known in the art. In another embodiment, the power cord may be adapted to engage with any power outlet, as deemed suitable by one skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the power cord will provide power to the side actuators 3 and the rear actuators 4, such that only one cord is required to provide power to the system.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a toilet seat; a first set of actuators coupled to the toilet seat; a second set of actuators coupled to the toilet seat; a toilet base coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators; a controller coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators; and a power supply coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first support plate attached to a top of the first set of actuators and a top of the second set of actuators, the toilet seat attached to a top surface of the first support plate above a through-hole extending through the first support plate; and a second support plate attached to a bottom of the first set of actuators and a bottom of the second set of actuators, the second support plate attached to a top of the toilet base, the second support plate having a through-hole therethrough, the through-hole of the first support plate aligned with the through-hole of the second support plate, the through-hole of the second support plate aligned with an opening of the toilet base.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the controller is a switch coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the controller includes a first switch coupled to the first set of actuators, and a second switch coupled to the second set of actuators.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the controller is a button coupled to the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators. 